Many people don’t know what to do when they find themselves in a submerged car. Highway safety authorities say getting out of a submerged vehicle is not difficult. The key, they say, is to stay calm and not to panic. There is time to react when vehicles end up in the water, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

“If the vehicle is floating or sinking slowly, you should be able to roll down your windows,” the website says, then climb out of the vehicle and swim to safety.

Sometimes, the vehicle sinks more quickly and when that happens the doors won’t open because of the pressure of the water on the outside of the vehicle. If that’s the case, wait for the water pressure inside the vehicle to become equal to the water pressure outside the vehicle by letting the vehicle fill up with water, the website says. If you have time, get rid of any heavy clothing, particularly shoes, the website says.

When the water is about shoulder level, roll down the window. You may get a rush of water so try to stay in the air pocket at the top off the car. “When the water stops rushing in,” the website says, “take your last breath of air and swim up to safety, exhaling as you go.”

Vehicles with power windows may present other problems. Electrical systems may shut down when you hit the water and windows won’t work.

All of that I can see as helpful information, but the end of this story states to break the side window with a hammer. I remember seeing a video a long time ago where a news reporter couldn’t break a window when he was standing on dry land! How are you supposed to swing a hammer under water and break a window? I’m calling that “helpful tip” fairly useless.

Check it out here –

– See more at: http://www.tbo.com/news/to-survive-in-submerged-car-stay-calm-and-carry-a-hammer-20160401/#sthash.uBCm651u.dpuf